E IS FOR...........

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor

(B.Appl.Sci: Comp Med, Clin Chiro: Masters, B.Nursing)

ECHINACEA

As winter is well and truly in gear, its cold air attracts unwanted viruses and bacteria that cause sniffles, colds (rhinovirus) and flus (influenza). In an attempt to overcome colds and to feel better, people for many years have turned to herbal and natural remedies such as Echinacea Purpurea. What we know in the health care paradigm of vitalism (rather than the allopathic/ crisis-care paradigm) is that prevention is a better option than ‘cure’/ ’fix’, and that boosting the immune system is paramount to avoiding nasty colds and flus each year.

Echinacea Purpurea is native to the North America Indians and is today widely used all around the world as an option for treating as well as preventing viral upper respiratory tract infections. To be most effective, Echinacea is best ingested in the form of a liquid/ tonic or in a capsule, however it is important to know that like most natural remedies is not a wonder herb that will eliminate symptoms of a cold at the moment of ingestion (that would be nice!). The best way to use this ancient herb is for prevention of a cold. Some studies suggest that Echinacea Purpurea is most effective when it is taken for at least 8 weeks preventatively. In saying this, if you  are someone who is prone to frequent colds and flus, then taking this tonic or capsule is a good idea and a positive step (amongst other healthy lifestyle changes) towards boosting your immunity.

Like most things that are healthy and good for us, Echinacea is not the most pleasant tasting tonic, however it is worth it If it means our body’s innate ability to heal and repair is boosted. It is important that we avoid antibiotic treatment as research is now suggesting that overuse is causing viral resistance problems in the community. In addition, antibiotics are commonly causing an imbalance in healthy gut bacteria (commonly known as dysbiosis) which may further reduce immune function and cause digestive discomfort. Furthermore, scientists have also discovered that prolonged and continual use of antibiotics is associated with increased risk of fatal breast cancer in otherwise healthy women.

EGGS

Health and body image are the two most significant reasons people may choose to eat well or to look after themselves. In the 80s and 90s body image probably took precedence, however today with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity becoming a public health crisis many people are now looking after themselves sin an attempt to avoid becoming a statistic of disease.

When people discuss concepts of healthy eating and dieting/ weight loss the general consensus is: ‘stay clear of fat’. This is of course a good idea when the category is ‘bad’ fat, however it is important that we become educated and aware of the dietary fats that are in fact healthy for us that we need in order to produce hormones. The fact is that the biochemistry of our body requires a perfect balance of all vitamins, minerals, hormones and fats in order to perform.

Biochemistry golden rule #1: There are different types of cholesterol/ fat within the body. There is low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is what we refer to as ‘bad’ cholesterol, which can block our arteries with plaque, leading to stroke or heart attack. On the other hand the HDL is ‘good’ cholesterol that works to excrete ‘bad’ fats (saturated) from the bloodstream. Fat metabolism is achieved via our very clever liver and its friend the gallbladder and in the instance of our liver being overloaded and toxic, it may fail to do its job, becoming a ‘fatty liver’. In a situation like this it is recommend that people avoid all fats until the liver begins to function optimally again. A training health practitioner such a naturopath or nutritionist can guide you through this process of recovery.

The humble egg is a much talked about food that has sustained humans and animals for thousands of years. Unfortunately it has been chastised for its high cholesterol content. In the 80s, eggs were ‘bad’ for you, in the 90s science was not sure and today, eggs are now said to be a health food with research suggesting that eggs have a clinically insignificant effect on blood cholesterol.


The reality is that eggs are an excellent source of nutrients and are packed full of protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, making it a great addition to a healthy diet. Plus, health authorities now recommend that our egg intake can be between 4 and 10 eggs a week. Healthy tip: Commit to buying organic eggs from chickens that are not grain fed and who  are free to roam green pastures (as nature intended!).

5 benefits of eggs:

• Eggs are cheap, readily available, healthy, easy to prepare and delicious!
• Eggs naturally contain vitamin D (which most people are low in), a hormone vital to our health and existence.
• Egg intake has been associated with a reduction in breast cancer
• Eggs contain vitamin B12, a vitamin necessary to nervous system function.
• Eggs are high in carotenoids (an antioxidant that gives the yolk its yellow/orange colour) and vitamin A that is essential for eye health. Some studies have shown that eggs may even be helpful in reducing the incidence of macular degeneration and cataracts of the eyes.

References:

Fernandez, ML. (2010). Effects of eggs on plasma lipoproteins in healthy populations. Food Fucnt. Issue 2. Pg. 156-160

Lee, A & Griffin, B. (2006). Dietary cholesterol, eggs and coronary heart disease risk in perspective. Nutrit Bull. Vol 31 (1). Pg 21-27

Applegate, E. (2000). Introduction: Nutritional and Functional Roles of Eggs in the Diet.  J Am Coll Nutr . Vol. 19 (5). Pg. 495-498

Gray, J & Griffin^, B. (2009). Eggs and dietary cholesterol – dispelling the myth. Nutrit Bull. Vol  34 (1). Pg. 66-70

Housten, DK etal. (2011). Dietary fat and cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults: The Health ABC Study. Nutrit, Metabol Cardiovas Dis. Vol 21 (6). Pg. 430-437

Weggemans, RM etal. (2001). Dietary cholesterol from eggs increases the ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in humans: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. Vol. 73 (5). Pg. 885-891.

Herron, KL & Fernandez, ML. (2004). Are the Current Dietary Guidelines Regarding Egg Consumption Appropriate? Journ Nut.Vol 134. Pg. 134-187

Bany, J etal, (2003). Echinacea purpurea stimulates cellular immunity and anti-bacterial defence independently of the strain of mice. Journ Pol Vet Sci. Vol 6 (3). Pg. 3-5.

Schoop, R. (2006). Echinacea in the prevention of induced rhinovirus colds: A meta-analysis. Clin Therap, Vol 28 (2). Pg. 174-183.

Sperber, SJ etal. (2004). Echinacea purpurea for Prevention of Experimental Rhinovirus Colds. Clin Infect Dis. Vol 38 (10). Pg. 1367-1371.

Shah, SA etal. (2007). Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis. The Lancet Infec Dis, Vol 7 (7). Pg.  Pages 473-480

Sharma, M etal. (2006). Echinacea extracts modulate the production of multiple transcription factors in uninfected cells and rhinovirus-infected cells.

Phytother Res. Vol 20 (12), Pg. 1074-1079

 

Velicer, CM etal. (2004). Antibiotic Use in Relation to the Risk of Breast Cancer. JAMA, Vol 291 (7). Pg. 827- 835

Healthy Body.... Healthy Pregnancy

By Dr Orly Zuker, Chiropractor
(B.Appl.Sci: Comp Med, Clin Chiro: Masters, B.Nursing)

Pregnancy and parenthood is an exciting time of life, however for many women the 9-months can bring with it; morning sickness, lower back pain, pelvic instability, insomnia, reflux, constipation and general body discomfort. If you are contemplating starting a family or are currently pregnant there is no need to worry as there is treatment out there to help you overcome these common ailments of pregnancy. Don’t be fooled though, childbirth is called ‘labour’ for a reason; it is hard work, but can be made easier if your body is prepared
. A helpful tip; try not to listen to everyone’s opinions, experiences and ideas, rather find a health practitioner that can guide you with balanced and unbiased information. Avoiding pain medications such as an epidural during labour is a good idea. After an epidural you are in most cases laying flat on your back and a 'cascade of events' commonly follows leading to interventions such as a C-section (major abdominal surgery!). Many women go through labour and childbirth without any pain relieving medications and rather use TENS, water submersion, breathing techniques, fit-balls and 'calmbirth' practises as natural alternatives.
What causes pregnancy related back and pelvic pain?

If you experience back pain during pregnancy, you share this inconvenience with almost half of all pregnant women. Pregnancy is a time of constant change as the maternal body adapts to the baby’s growth (mechanical/postural shifts that cause muscle tension & ligament laxity). Of all of the physical changes that occur in a woman during pregnancy, majority are caused by the hormones of pregnancy; progesterone & relaxin. These hormones cause the breasts to enlarge as well as secondary weight gain (normally up to 15kg). In some woman these normal changes can trigger old injuries to resurface, augmenting pregnancy related spinal issues. This can cause discomfort. 

The hormone relaxin is a remarkable hormone that enables the pelvic joints to loosen and expand in preparation for labour. Relaxin causes softening and laxity of the ligaments and joints, creating increased mobility that can commonly lead to “waddling” in the later stages of pregnancy. This can makes pregnant women more susceptible to injury; especially sacroiliac joint (SIJ) sprains. In saying this, it is important to make changes to your daily activities. For instance, gardening may never have caused you discomfort until you were pregnant (prolonged squatting can stretch pelvic ligaments) and care has to be taken when lowering into the car seat in the third trimester.It is important to keep in mind that every woman’s body is different and there is generally no single cause which can explain the common ailments of pregnancy. In an attempt to ensure a more pleasant and less difficult pregnancy and labour/birth, many women all around the world visit a chiropractor for a natural approach to their pregnancy care.

Chiropractic and Pregnancy...

From a biomechanical perspective, chiropractors are concerned with the issues caused by the growth of the abdomen, for instance swaying of the lumber spine as it is drawn forward/ anterior. This type of posture causes a woman’s shoulders to roll forward. This may result in the back and pelvic pain, jaw pain and tension headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic focus on correcting vertebral subluxation (including the pelvis and cranium/ skull). When the spine is misaligned (subluxated), imbalance occurs, causing surrounding muscles and ligaments to dysfunction as well as creating tension in the nervous system. The 9 months of pregnancy is a perfect time to learn about the body and to become educated about pregnancy, labour, care of a new born, health and holistic parenting. As well as becoming educated, mothers-to-be need to physically prepare for labour, so get active!

The body is so intelligently designed, and it knows exactly how to breath, pump blood, digest, heal and of course when to go into labour. In an attempt to assist body function during pregnancy, health practitioners recommend that women lead a healthy lifestyle (have plenty of sleep, eat well, consume healthy fats, drink filtered water, have increased levels of vitamin D, exercise, maintain good posture and stay relaxed) and reduce toxic exposure. In the early months of life, bubs will also benefit from a healthy family home and environment.

How the Webster Technique may be beneficial during pregnancy...

During pregnancy, the pelvic floor & pelvic basin is the baby’s home and also the passage into life outside of the mother’s womb. As mentioned previously, vertebral, sacral and pelvic misalignments can cause tightening of the pelvic muscles, tension in the round ligament and tightness in the iliopsoas muscle that are all involved in pregnancy and labour. This may cause aberrant effects on the uterus leading the foetus to adopt an incorrect position for birth and can lead to prolonged and difficult labour (dystocia) and this is where Webster Technique becomes helpful and essential.

The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment technique that has one goal; to improve and restore optimal pelvic function [specifically by correcting sacral and sacroiliac joint subluxations], which as a result will improve pelvic function overall. 

“Webster” is a safe, gentle and scientific chiropractic technique that prepares a woman for birth, ensuring optimal in-utero positioning of the baby and improved comfort in the mother. A Chiropractor trained in Webster technique may make your pregnancy journey & baby’s delivery an even easier and more natural one!